iPhone maker Apple has given up developing an electric car “Apple Car” to focus funds on artificial intelligence (AI).
Bloomberg News reported on the 27th (local time) that Apple will disband the “Special Project Group,” an organization that has been studying electric vehicles.
Apple Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams and other executives made the announcement internally to the approximately 2,000 employees participating in the project. Many of the employees who have been involved in electric vehicle development will move to the Generative AI development department.
Apple also said it plans to lay off its electric vehicle development team. The size of the layoffs has not been disclosed.
Since 2014, Apple’s electric vehicle project, known as Project Titan, has reportedly been planning to develop an Apple car, the first autonomous electric vehicle.
However, Apple Car launch plans have been delayed due to restructuring and changes in the company’s strategy. There were reports that Apple Car launch schedule, which was set for 2025, was also pushed back by one year, but recently there were reports that the launch date was postponed to 2028.
Apple CEO Tim Cook said he would announce Generative AI strategies in detail by the end of the year. Apple is expected to stop targeting the electric vehicle market, which has seen its growth lag behind other big tech companies, and focus on Generative AI investment.
JULIE KIM
US ASIA JOURNAL
